mortal

[ mawr-tl ]

adjective

1. subject to death; having a transitory life:

   all mortal creatures.

2. of or relating to human beings as subject to death; human:

   this mortal life.

3. belonging to this world.
4. deadly or implacable; relentless:

   a mortal enemy.

5. severe, dire, grievous, or bitter:

   in mortal fear.

6. causing or liable to cause death; fatal:

   a mortal wound.

7. to the death:

   mortal combat.

8. of or relating to death:

   the mortal hour.

9. involving spiritual death ( venial ):

   mortal sin.

10. long and wearisome.
11. extreme; very great:

    in a mortal hurry.

12. conceivable; possible:

    of no mortal value to the owners.

noun

1. a human being.
2. the condition of being subject to death.

mortal

/ ˈmɔːtəl /

adjective

1. (of living beings, esp human beings) subject to death
2. of or involving life or the world
3. ending in or causing death; fatal

   a mortal blow

4. deadly or unrelenting

   a mortal enemy

5. of or like the fear of death; dire

   mortal terror

6. great or very intense

   mortal pain

7. possible

   there was no mortal reason to go

8. slang.
   long and tedious

   for three mortal hours

noun

1. a mortal being
2. informal.
   a person

   a mean mortal

Derived Forms

• ˈmortally, adverb

Other Words From

• mortal·ly adverb
• non·mortal adjective noun
• non·mortal·ly adverb
• post·mortal adjective
• post·mortal·ly adverb
• pre·mortal adjective
• pre·mortal·ly adverb
• un·mortal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mortal¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, Middle French mortal, mortel, from Latin mortālis, equivalent to mort- (stem of mors ) “death” + -ālis -al ¹; ambrosia ( def ); murder ( def ); murther ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of mortal¹

C14: from Latin mortālis, from mors death

Synonym Study

See fatal.

Example Sentences

In a video posted to Facebook, Mondlane said he was in "mortal danger" after assassins had gone to his home to try to kill him.

From BBC

The problem for Hernandez is that bureaucracy and political reality can be mortal enemies of progressive idealism.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s happening, a done deal, a mortal lock, prepare for tickets, plan for parties, spread the word, the Dodgers are going to advance to the World Series.

From Los Angeles Times

The other is a strong sense among some in Israel that they have an opportunity to deal a body blow to Iran - their mortal enemy.

From BBC

And mortal enemies Israel and Iran have exchanged blows too, with more almost certain to come.

From BBC

Related Words

• dire
• fatal
• grievous
• grim
• lethal
• malignant
• terrible